Keeping alive the Islamic tradition of scholarship, insight, and purification...one day at a time.

Monday, January 30, 2006

LESSON OF THE DAY 455

Ayahs of the Day: As for the conscientious, they will be amidst gardens and springs, where they will be admitted in peace and security. And We will remove any hidden enmity in their hearts, and they will be friends facing each other on thrones. No fatigue will affect them there, and they will not be ejected from there. [15: 45, to 48]

Hadith of the Day: Seek refuge in Allah from the touched Dajjal. Seek refuge in Allah from the trials of life and death. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:When it has been said that the angels spread out their wings in the path of the one seeking sacred knowledge, then just imagine what Allah has in store for such a person. [Abu Ali Daqaq]

Guidance of the Day:The truth is, all of us hate to be corrected. We all want our positions to be respected and understood by others. Being listened to and heard is one of the greatest desires of the human heart. And those who learn to listen are the most loved and respected. Those who are in the habit of correcting others are often resented and avoided.

It's not that it's never appropriate to be right---sometimes you genuinely need to be or want to be. Perhaps there are certain philosophical positions that you don't want to budge on such as when you hear a racist comment. Here. it's important to speak your mind. Usually, however, it's just your ego creeping in and ruining an otherwise peaceful encounter---a habit of wanting or needing to be right. A wonderful, heartfelt strategy for becoming more peaceful and loving is to practice allowing others the joy of being right---give them the glory. Stop correcting.

As hard as it may be to change this habit, it's worth any effort and practice it takes. When someone says, "I really feel it's important to..." rather than jumping in and saying, "No it's more important to..." or any of the hundreds of other forms of conversational editing, simply let it go and allow their statement to stand. The people in your life will become less defensive and more loving. They will appreciate you more than you could ever have dreamed possible, even if they don't exactly know why. You'll discover the joy of participating and witnessing other people's happiness, which is far more rewarding than a battle of egos. You don't have to sacrifice your deepest philosophical truths or most heartfelt opinions, but starting today, let others be "right," most of the time! [Don't Sweat The Small Stuff]

Food for Thought:Laziness of the common folk in worshipping their Lord is a grave matter, but that same laziness from teachers and students of sacred knowledge is even moreso.